CRAIG LEVEIN has backed Allan McGregor to shine for Scot land tonight , even though the axe is set to fall on his Rangers mates.

Scotland boss Craig Levein insists Allan McGregor will be able to maintain his focus []

News i s expected today of swingeing cuts at Rangers in the wake of the crisis club entering administration.

Ibrox keeper McGregor and goalie coach Jim Stewart were with the Scotland party which jetted out to Slovenia yesterday ahead of tonight’s friendly clash in Koper.

But Levein is well aware that the minds of both men will be with colleagues in Glasgow as they face redundancy notices.

However, the Scotland boss has had no hesitation in saying that McGregor will win his 20th cap and have the mental strength to deal with the game, even if news filters through of job losses at Ibrox earlier in the day.

Levein said: “Allan will be waiting for word from Ibrox tomorrow and so will Jim Stewart. There’s a lot of anxiety because people are waiting to find out what their situation is.

Gary Caldwell will skipper the side for the first time from the start

“But they’ll be focused on doing their jobs here. In fact, being over here might be better for them in some ways than sitting at home waiting for the news. Allan is a strong boy and he’ll be focused on playing for Scotland.”

McGregor is not expected to be one of the players culled despite being a top earner.

The administrators realise he has a sell-on value and if the club is to survive then he could be an asset come the summer. McGregor, however, might take a pay cut along with his mates to try and save any job losses.

Charlie Mulgrew will win his first cap at leftback tonight with Wigan’s James McArthur also due to start in midfield and Craig Mackail-Smith, right, ready to lead the line instead of Kenny Miller, who will be on the bench following a gruelling Carling Cup Final experience with Cardiff City on Sunday.

Gary Caldwell will skipper the side for the first time from the start.